Mr. Mullen would say the same
thing from the pulpit--and what one man can say in the pulpit, I reckon,
another may repeat in the road."
"No, he mayn't--not if he wants to marry me."
"If I promise not to say a word more about it, will you get over your
temper?"
"If you keep your promise, but how am I to know that you won't burst out
again the next time I look at a man?"
"Only try to look at them a little differently, Molly, not quite so
wide-eyed and red-lipped--but primmer and with lowered lashes, just a
bit contemptuous, as if your were thinking 'you might as well be a stick
or a stone for all the thought I am giving you.'" The mental picture
appeared to afford him satisfaction, for he resumed after a moment.
"I believe if you'd practise it a while before the glass you could do
it--you are so clever."
"Why on earth should I make myself ugly just to please you?"
"It wouldn't be making yourself ugly--I can't endure an ugly woman. All
I want you to be is sober."
"Then what made you fall in love with me? It certainly was not for
soberness."
He shook his head hopelessly, puzzled for the first time by the too
obvious contradiction between the ideal and the actual--between the
phantom of a man's imagination and the woman who enthralls his heart.
Pages:
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271